Senior Licensing and Business Development Associate

Senior Licensing and Business Development Associate

Skysong Innovations is ASU’s exclusive technology transfer and intellectual property management company responsible for the rapid and wide dissemination of ASU’s discoveries and inventions into the marketplace for the public good.  

The Senior Licensing and Business Development Associate will assist the Director of Licensing and Business Development with identifying, evaluating, protecting, marketing, and commercializing innovative science-based technologies developed at ASU, with a primary focus on removing impediments associated with the licensure of university technologies while ensuring a fair return for the university.

What you’ll do: 

• Leads full-cycle licensing negotiations from term sheet to definitive agreement in partnership with the Director of Licensing and Business Development and Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal counsel

• Designs and proposes initial term sheets for licensing deals based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to established licensing norms and internal/external market comparables

• Drafts licensing agreements using established templates and approved language while working closely with the Director of Licensing and Business Development and Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal counsel

• Evaluates and discusses sophisticated and often innovative technologies on a regular basis

• Facilitates and may lead marketing efforts to potential licensees and/or venture development firms via email, phone, and face-to-face interactions

• Facilitates the advancement of ASU startup companies when appropriate

• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with faculty, which includes encouraging faculty to disclose ASU-generated intellectual property and to participate in aspects of the commercialization process

• Provides the Life Sciences Team with business and technical insights concerning technologies and possible commercialization opportunities and pathways, particularly in the context of licensing deals and key decisions arising in associated patent prosecution timelines

• Supports colleagues in ongoing compliance activities related to active agreements

• Serves as a helpful partner to connect various stakeholders within the university ecosystem

• Maintains up-to-date project statuses via internal databases to ensure accurate tracking and reporting

• Reports on and raises issues for discussions regarding negotiations and deals during recurring licensing meeting led by the Director of Licensing and Business Development

• Makes and delivers presentations to faculty, industry, university leadership, and boards

• Responsible for training and supervising interns and/or student workers; provides mentorship and learning opportunities as needed

What you'll need:

• Advanced understanding of licensing norms and dynamics in university technology transfer deals

• Proficiency in locating, understanding, and applying appropriate internal/external comparables and benchmarks when proposing, negotiating, and evaluating licensing terms

• Proficiency in negotiating and drafting term sheets and license agreements with support from legal counsel

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and at least one technology transfer management software, such as Wellspring/Sophia, Inteum/Minuet, or Cayuse

• Familiarity with research-related agreements and other technology transfer-related agreements, such as sponsored research agreements, inter-institutional agreements, and consortium agreements

• High level of empathy and situational awareness—capable of independently interacting and building positive relationships with a variety of sophisticated stakeholders, including senior faculty, university executives and administrators, investors, entrepreneurs, technology executives, and community leaders

• Familiarity with the basic concepts of intellectual property law—particularly patent law

• Ability to recognize circumstances that require escalation and additional discussions with the Director of Licensing and Business Development, Skysong Innovations’ in-house legal team, and/or other Skysong Innovations colleagues

• Highly motivated, self-driven, and proactive professional

• Ability to quickly and continuously educate oneself about new technologies

• Team-oriented strategist able to effectively manage complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing constituencies

• Collaborative style, combined with the ability and desire to work in a team-based environment

• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality and responsibility regarding information related to Skysong Innovations (SI), ASU Enterprise Partners, and University business and confidential information

• Strong and collegial interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively in person, writing, and by phone with faculty, researchers, administrators, and industry

• Problem solver who can take initiative and set priorities while being flexible

• Adept at navigating complex environments with evolving priorities and communication plans

Relevant qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a life science with a demonstrable understanding of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, medical devices, biologics (among other biotechnology), and medical diagnostics

• Three (3) to five (5) years of relevant experience in a technology transfer group within or serving a university, hospital, or other research institution, including experience leading the following activities: drafting, negotiating, and closing licensing contracts and/or agreements

Preferred education and experience:

• Master’s or PhD in a life sciences discipline

• JD and/or MBA

• Extensive experience with drafting, negotiating, and closing licensing agreements

• Five (5) or more years of relevant experience in a technology transfer group within or serving a university, hospital, or other research institution

ASU Enterprise Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer